Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42115890›Full record

ArticleBMC primary care2026

Strengthening Libya's primary healthcare workforce: a replicable model for health system resilience in fragile states.

Sara A Moustafa, Saededdien Elmshawat, Mohamed Moftah Emsalem, Fozia Kemishi, Randa Shaeban Shinkada, Mamsallah Faal-Omisore

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC primary care, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Sara A MoustafaInstitute of Global Health and Human Ecology, The American University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt. saraayman@aucegypt.edu.
Saededdien ElmshawatPrimary Health Care Institute (PHCI), Tripoli, Libya.
Mohamed Moftah EmsalemPrimary Health Care Institute (PHCI), Tripoli, Libya.
Fozia KemishiPrimary Health Care Institute (PHCI), Tripoli, Libya.
Randa Shaeban ShinkadaDeutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Tripoli, Libya.
Mamsallah Faal-OmisorePrimary Care International (PCI), London, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSettings characterized by significant systemic challenges face profound difficulties in building a resilient health workforce, a critical component for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). In Libya, a period of prolonged instability has fragmented the primary health care (PHC) system, resulting in uncoordinated training and a workforce ill-equipped to deliver essential services. This study evaluates a multi-year initiative designed to establish a standardized, nationally-owned in-service training (IST) system to strengthen PHC capacity.

methodsA phased, multi-method intervention was implemented from 2021 to 2025. The programme comprised: (1) a national landscaping analysis using desk review and stakeholder interviews to diagnose systemic gaps; (2) collaborative development of a national IST Framework via a multi-stakeholder Technical Working Group; (3) co-creation of evidence-based training materials reviewed by a national scientific committee; and (4) implementation of a Train-the-Trainer (ToT) cascade model with supportive supervision. A programmatic evaluation was conducted using pre-post knowledge assessments and thematic analysis of qualitative feedback to measure outcomes.

resultsThe programme achieved national endorsement of a standardized 5-pillar In-Service Training (IST) Framework. A cohort of 35 Master Trainers was established (66% female), with approximately 94% of the first cohort reporting increased facilitation confidence. This network trained 613 Primary Healthcare (PHC) workers (88% female) across 12 districts. Quantitative assessment (n = 599) revealed significant knowledge gains among trainees (p < 0.001), with mean scores increasing by 29.4% in the first cascade and 33.0% in the second. Thematic analysis of qualitative feedback identified themes of improved professional collaboration, empowerment, and accountability.

conclusionThis initiative successfully established the foundation for a coherent, nationally-led In-Service Training (IST) system in a challenging setting, demonstrating a replicable model for health workforce strengthening. The significant knowledge gains and development of sustainable training infrastructure underscore that systematic planning, deep local ownership, and adaptive management are critical for building health system resilience. Future efforts should focus on longitudinal evaluation including clinical audit to assess the impact on clinical practice and patient outcomes.

Indexed as

Capacity BuildingHealth WorkforceInservice TrainingPrimary Health CareHumansLibyaPublic Health InfrastructureCapacity BuildingChallenging SettingsHealth System StrengtheningHealth WorkforceIn-Service TrainingLibyaPrimary HealthcareResilience

Identifiers

PMID42115890
PMCPMC13159325

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.